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N0. 623,96l. Patented Apr. 25, I899.

C. E. QUIMBY. DEVICE FOR PREVENTING AND REMOVING THE FOULING 0F SNIPS NULL (Application filed Aug. 18, 1898.)

(No Modal.)

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Tn: Naams PETERS 00.. PHdTO-UTHO WASHINGYDN, n. c.

an" r NiTE STATES CHARLES E. QUIMBY, 'OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

DEVICE FOR PREVENTING AND REMOVING FOULlNG OF SHIPS HULLS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 623,961, dated April 25, 1899.

Application filed August 16, 1898- Serial No. 688,741. (No model.)

To all 1071,0111. it may concern.- I Be it known that I, CHARLES E. QUIMBY, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Device for Preventing and Removing the Condition Commonly Known as Fouling of Ships Hulls, of which the following specification, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which drawings are hereby made a part of said specification, is a full, clear, and accurate description.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the case, and Fig. 2 a perspective view of the framework, which together constitute said device;

My invention consists, primarily, of a case or sack 1, composed of canvas or other equivalent flexible material, constructed in such special shape and of such size as to conform to the outlines of the hull of the particular vessel for which it is intended from the keel to a line one or more feet above and parallel with the water-line of said vessel. The end of said case or sack 4 corresponding to the prow of the vessel is closed permanently, or it may be constructed with eyes, loops, and ropes to close it by lacing. The end of said case or sack 6 corresponding to the stern of the vessel is left open and cut with such configuration and so supplied with eyes and lacing-ropes that it may be adjusted about the stern of saidvessel and about the propellershaft without interfering with the motion of said shaft. Said case or sack is reinforced 2 2 2 at the ends along its superior free border and at other places, as may be desirable. The keel-line and free border of said case are provided with loops 5 5 5, of rope or other material, for the attachment of weights 8 8 and floats 9 9 in its application, and to the superior free border are attached ropes 3 3 3 at proper intervals, to be used in drawing and maintaining said case in close apposition with the hull of the vessel. All or a portion of said supporting-ropes as may be desirable in symmetrical pairs are extended transversely and made continuous around said case on its exterior surface 10 1O 10, whereby said ropes in the line of their application may be pressed more closely against the hull of the vessel and its cavity thereby divided into separate compartments any one of which may be pumped dry and refilled with poisonous solutions independently of the others. Said case is furthermore provided with ropes Z 7, attached longitudinally in such manner as to permit its being brought in apposition with that portion of the hull where cross-sections are concave from without inward. The case is prepared for use, first, by impregnating it with creosote or other substances to prevent decay, and, secondly, by impregnating and coating it with oil or such other substance as will render it waterproof. In connection with said case weights and floats are provided for use in its application.

My invention consists, secondly, of a latticed metal frame, of the form shown in Fig. 2, of any desirable width, made to fit the outlines of the ships hull on its open side and with its latticed side of a similar curve.

The objects of the above-described device are threefold: first, prevention of fouling; second, removal of existing fouling; third, examination and repair of limited portions of the hull without the services of a diver.

First. Prevention.-This is accomplished by inclosing the entire hull tightly in the case. I It is not intended generally to retain said case in position when a vessel is at sea under full speed, although that might be possible and under certain circumstances even oonduce to speed; but in consideration of the fact that the more serious forms of fouling are initiated when vessels are at anchor or moving from point to point in harbors said case is intended particularly for use under such conditions.

AppZicati0n.A vessel being at anchor the case, which for convenience in application may be made in two or more sections with eyes and lacing-ropes, is taken to a point in front of the prow of said vessel and, beginning with the end corresponding to the stern, is paid out under the guidance of assisting boat-crews. As it is thus paid out weights are attached to the loops along the keel-line, and floats are similarly attached to the ropes on the superior free borders. If this is done on the flow of the tide, the case properly guided will be floated beneath the hull of the vessel. If on the slack of the tide, the case may be drawn into position by the ropes attached to the end and free borders. When in position beneath the hull, the suping has occurred after the case has been portingropes 3 3 are carried to the deck and successively tightened from before aft, thus bringing the case into close apposition with the hull and expelling all. the contained water from the stern end. Under these conditions all further fouling will take place on the case and not on the hull and can be removed with the case, for when the vessel is at anchor it will swing with the tide and the flow of water, and consequently the pressure will be from before aft, with the result of holding the ease still closer against the hull.

Second. Remoz'al of fouZi12g.-\Vl1en foultightly applied, as above described, the supporting-ropes 3 3 3 are loosened slightly and solutions of poisonsas carbolic acid, mercuric chlorid, &c.are poured into the case until it is filled and allowed to remain a proper time. All organic life will thus be destroyed and the fouling-bodies be removed with the case or washed away by motion of the vessel. It. is intended that each vessel shall be provided with at least two such cases in order that as one becomes foul it may be removed and another substituted while the first is being cleaned.

Third. Ercmu'nu/[oa ()fHlG hHZZ.IVhen it is desired to examine any portion of the hull, the metal framework, Fig. 2, is lowered between the case and the hull before the supporting-ropes I 3 have been tightened. Then only those ropes adjacent to the frame, with the corresponding ropes on the other side of the vessel, are first tightened. Pumps are then applied to the water within the frame, with the result that the external pressure of the water forces the case tightly against the hull about the framework, and the cavity within the framework may then be entirely emptied, thus forming a localized drydock.

Upon the basis of the foregoing specifications I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In antifouling devices, a flexible case or sack, composed of canvas or other equivalent material, of special shape and size corresponding to the hull of any specified vessel, ship or boat, impregnated with chemicals, and provided with eyes, ropes, weights and floats, substantially as specifiedf 2. In antifouling devices, a flexible case or sack, composed of canvas or other equivalent material, of special shape and size corresponding to the hull of any vessel, ship or boat, impregnated with chemicals, and provided with eyes, ropes, weights and floats, rendered impervious to water and animal or vegetable life for the purpose of holding poisonous chemicals in contact with the hulls of vessels, ships and boats, and for preventing the contact of living organisms with said hulls, substantially as specified.

In antifouling devices, in connection with a flexible case or sack, composed of canvas or other equivalent material, of special shape and size corresponding to the hull of any specified vessel, ship orboat, impregnated with chemicals, provided with eyes, ropes, weights and floats and rendered impervious to water and animal or vegetable life, a latticcd metal framework, of special shape, for holding limited portions of said sack away from the hull of said vessel, substantially as specified.

CHAS. E. QUIMBY.

Witnesses:

LoUIs Bnowx, II. OAKEY HALL. 

